(a)   The purpose of this chapter shall be to regulate and to coordinate the type, placement, physical dimensions including the design, size, location, illumination, and maintenance of signs within the Village. These regulations shall apply to all premises regardless of the zoning category. These regulations are intended to achieve, among others, the following purposes, to-wit:

      (1)   To protect property values;

      (2)   To create a more attractive economic, business, and industrial climate;

      (3)   To enhance and protect the physical appearance and preserve the scenic and natural beauty of the Village; and

      (4)   To reduce signs or advertising distractions and provide for uniformity of sign type and design;

      (5)   To reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way;

      (6)   To provide more open space; and

      (7)   To enhance community development.

   (b)   In establishing these objectives, the Village has determined that, without adequate regulation and design standards, signs are a nuisance. As the appearance of the Village is marred by the excessive number, oversized and poorly designed signs, both residential and business property values are adversely affected. Therefore, the number of such distracting signs ought to be reduced and signs permitted should comply with the standards of this chapter in order to reduce the aforementioned effects.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   This chapter shall not relate to building design, nor shall this chapter regulate official traffic or government signs; the copy and message of signs; signs not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way; window displays; product dispensers and point of purchase displays; flags of any nation, government, or noncommercial organization; barber poles, religious symbols; commemorative plaques; the display of street number; or any display or construction not defined herein as a sign. Thus, the primary intent of this chapter shall be to regulate signs of a commercial nature intended to be viewed from any vehicular public right-of-way.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   (a)   Signs and other forms of outdoor advertising shall not be erected, placed, painted, repainted, or hung in any zoning district, except the following:

      (1)   R-1A   Single-Family, Low Density Residential District

      (2)   R-1B Single-Family, Medium Density Residential District

      (3)   R-2 Two-Family, Medium Density Residential District

      (4)   R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District

      (5)   MHP Manufactured Home Park District

      (6)   CB Central Business District

      (7)   GB General Business District

      (8)   LI Light industrial District

      (9)   GI General Industrial District

      (10)   PO Professional Office District

      (11)   IP Industrial Park District

      (12)   ID Institutional District

      (13)   PUD Planned Unit Development District

      (14)   SR57 State Route 57 Overlay District

   (b)   Any other district upon application to and approval by the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals. Signs for churches, schools, colleges, libraries, museums, and other nonresidential uses which are permitted in residential districts shall require approval by the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals prior to placement.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   It is unlawful for any person to erect, place, paint, hang, or maintain a sign within the Village, except in accordance with the provisions of these regulations.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   The following types of signs are prohibited:

   (a)   Abandoned signs. If the associated business, industry, or other use ceases to operate, all signage shall be removed within 90 days.

   (b)   Banners, pennants, festoons, searchlights, except as permitted in Section 1288.14(h).

   (c)   Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals.

   (d)   Snipe signs, or signs attached to trees, telephone poles, or any other fixture within the pubic right-of-way.

   (e)   Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said signs. This does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or other vehicles operating during the normal course of business.

   (f)   Off-premises signs (billboards). No off-premises sign (billboard) may be erected, re-erected, hung, placed, painted or repainted, which sign advertises any product or service not provided on the property where the sign is located.

   (g)   Temporary and portable signs, except as permitted in Section 1288.12.

   (h)   Any illuminated sign or lighting device that does not emit light of constant intensity or contains flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights. This does not apply to an automatic changeable copy sign.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   (a)   Construction, erection, and fastening shall comply with applicable State Building and Fire Codes and with the application filed with the Building Inspector, including all diagrams and drawings submitted therewith.

   (b)   Internally illuminated signs shall not exceed 800 milliampere flourescent tubes mounted not closer than 12 inches on center. External illumination shall be installed so that the light source is not visible and reflects away from adjoining premises. No external light source shall be located or arranged so as to cause confusion or a hazard to traffic or conflict with traffic control signals.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   (a)   Any sign that lawfully existed on February 21, 1995 which would not be permitted by these regulations is a nonconforming sign.

   (b)   A nonconforming sign shall not be replaced or reconstructed unless it conforms to the regulations of this Chapter, except that the message of a nonconforming sign may be changed.

(Ord. 95-004. Passed 2-21-95; Ord. 11-074. Passed 1-17-12.)

   Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in the current fee ordinance. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or a change of copy on a changeable copy sign.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   The following types of signs are exempted from permit requirements, but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this chapter:

   (a)   Construction signs of 64 square feet or less.

   (b)   Directional/informational signs of 3 square feet or less.

   (c)   Holiday or special events decorations.

   (d)   Nameplates of 2 square feet or less.

   (e)   Political signs.

   (f)   Public signs or notices or any sign relating to an emergency.

   (g)   Window signs.

   (h)   Incidental signs.

   (i)   On-site, private traffic control signs.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   All signs shall be properly maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted, if paint is required. Defective parts shall be replaced. The Building Inspector shall have the right to order repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated. The sign owner shall be responsible for all costs for removal or repair.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, any sign herein allowed may use manual or automatic changeable copy.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   Temporary, portable and construction signs shall be permitted provided each such sign complies with the following requirements:

   (a)   Temporary signs. Banners, pennants, festoons, searchlights, temporary portable, or other special event signs or apparatus may be permitted. Such signs shall not require a permit, shall be displayed for not more than 30 days, and shall be restricted to new businesses. A “new business” is one which had not previously existed at that location. Temporary, portable, and special event signs may be displayed only within the first 60 days of the new business existence and shall not exceed 32 square feet per face and 64 square feet in total area.

   (b)   Portable Signs. One portable sign per business entity shall be permitted (i.e.: six tenants in a building, six portable signs are permitted) subject to the following:

      (1)   A permit is not required;

      (2)   The sign may be displayed during business hours only. It must be removed when the business is closed;

      (3)   The sign shall be non-illuminated;

      (4)   The maximum area of the portable structure (ground to top; side to side) shall be 13 square feet per face and 26 square feet for all faces.

      (5)   The sign must advertise specific items or events. Its main purpose shall not be to get the business name closer to the street. No more than one third of the sign area shall display the business name;

      (6)   The sign shall not create a vehicular or pedestrian safety hazard, as determined by the Building Inspector and Chief of Police.

   (c)   Special Promotion Advertising. Banners, pennants, portable signs and other apparatus mean to promote a special event or sale may be permitted after approval by Council and after obtaining a “no fee” permit from the Village. Application shall be made to Council at least two weeks prior tot heir regularly scheduled meeting. Council shall consider the following prior to approval.

      (1)   Display period (maximum of two weeks);

      (2)   Display frequency (maximum of three times per calendar year);

      (3)   Size;

      (4)   Materials and appearance;

      (5)   Location;

      (6)   Safety.

   (d)   Construction Signs. One for each street frontage of a construction project, not to exceed 64 square feet. Such signs may be erected 30 days following completion of construction.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01; Ord. 06-016. Passed 5-16-06.)

   Sign types and sizes are permitted as follows:

   (a)   Monument Signs.

      (1)   Maximum area.

         A.   Premises with four tenants or less. One monument sign per premises, not to exceed 48 square feet per face up to a maximum total area of 96 square feet (all faces). An extra 10 square feet per face shall be permitted for each 20 feet of setback from the right-of-way line, not to exceed 68 square feet per face and 136 square feet (all faces).

         B.   Premises with more than four tenants. One monument sign per premises, not to exceed 60 square feet per face up to a maximum total area of 120 square feet (all faces). An extra 10 square feet per face shall be permitted for each 20 feet of setback from the right-of-way line, not to exceed 90 square feet per face and 180 square feet (all faces).

      (2)   Maximum height. Maximum height of 8 feet except that an additional 2.5 feet may be added for each 20 feet of setback from the right-of-way line, not to exceed 13 feet.

   (b)   Pole Signs. As approved by City Council.

   (c)   Wall Signs. Two wall signs per occupancy not to exceed 2.5 square feet in sign area for each linear foot of that occupancy's building frontage up to a maximum of 125 square feet.

   (d)   Awning Signs. An unlimited number of awning signs, the area of which shall be limited to 1.0 square feet per lineal foot of that occupancy's building frontage up to a maximum of 30 square feet.

   (e)   Under Canopy Signs. One under canopy sign per occupancy, not to exceed 4 square feet in sign area.

   (f)   Incidental Signs. An unlimited number of incidental signs, the area of which shall not exceed 2 square feet per sign.

(Ord. 02-009. Passed 5-21-02.)

   The following shall apply to all signage within this district:

   (a)   Signs Projecting over Sidewalks. Each sign erected, hung, or suspended and which extends over and across any public sidewalk or public street or part thereof, shall not extend out from the building or structure greater than 8 feet, nor in any event except as hereinafter provided, to a point nearer than 3 feet from any curb line extended vertically. No such sign shall be erected so as to have less than 9 feet of vertical clearance between such sign and the public sidewalk or way over which such sign is suspended, erected or hung; however, this provision shall not apply to signs erected upon but not suspended from any marquee, in which case the sign may extend to within 3 feet of the curb line of the street.

   (b)   Additional Street Frontages. Where an occupancy has more than one street frontage, one additional wall sign or painted wall sign and additional canopy, under-canopy, awning and marquee signs shall be permitted on the additional frontage, not to exceed the size limitations of other allowed wall and painted wall signs.

   (c)   Clearances. Clearance of overhead utilities shall be in conformance with the National Electrical Code and local utility standards.

   (d)   Real Estate Signs.

      (1)   A.   In residence, commercial, and industrial districts, signs advertising property for sale, rent, lease, or trade may be erected, provided that such signs comply with the following area and distance from right-of-way requirements:

 

 

         B.   No such sign shall exceed 60 square feet.

            1.   Except in a residence, commercial, or industrial district where the prescribed distance from the right-of-way is less than that set forth in division (d)(1)A. above, due to property improvements, signs of 6 square feet or less advertising the property for sale, rent, lease, or trade will be permitted to be placed on the front wall of the building which is being so advertised.

            2.   If the area and distance limitations cause any sign to be obscured from sight, the sign location and size shall be subject to approval of the Zoning Inspector.

   (e)   Nameplate. One attached nameplate per occupancy, not to exceed 2 square feet.

   (f)   Political Sign. Political signs shall not be put in place more than 40 days prior to the election or referendum concerned and shall be removed 5 days following such election or referendum.

   (g)   Directional/Informational Signs. Eight directional/informational signs per lot, not to exceed 32 square feet in total sign area or 4 feet in height, if ground-mounted.

   (h)   Temporary, Portable, and Special Event Signs. (This subsection was repealed by Ord. 06-016, passed 5-16-06. See section 1288.12 for current provisions.)

   (i)   State/Federal Codes. All private signs shall conform to State and Federal code requirements regarding copy and use of symbols on the sign face.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   A variance from the strict application of the provisions of this chapter may be granted by the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals in regard to an existing nonconforming sign or a new sign to be installed, erected, constructed or painted, if the Board finds that requiring strict compliance with the provisions of the variance from the provisions of this chapter will not depreciate or damage neighboring property, will not create a safety hazard and will not be contrary to the purposes of this chapter. The procedure for applying for variance and the hearing therein shall be the same as in cases involving zoning variances.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)